Nuclear power in the USA struggles to expand – EIA`s 2014 energy report

AEO2014 Early Release Overview

Release Date: December 16, 2013   |  Full Report Release Date: Early Spring 2014

Extract

….Electricity generation from nuclear power plants grows by 5% in the AEO2014 Reference case, from 769 billion kWh in 2012 to 811 billion kWh in 2040, accounting for about 16% of total generation in 2040 (compared with 19% in 2012). Nuclear generating capacity decreases from 102 GW in 2012 to 98 GW in 2020 as new construction (5.5 GW) and uprates at existing plants (0.7 GW) are more than offset by retirements in several regions where existing nuclear units are facing challenging economic conditions. After 2025, a small amount of new nuclear capacity comes on line as natural gas prices rise. In 2040, overall nuclear capacity is back up to 102 GW. AEO2014 incorporates updated information from EIA data collections regarding planned nuclear plant construction and capacity uprates at existing units…..

http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/er/early_elecgen.cfm

February 5, 2014 - Posted by arclight2011part2 | Uncategorized